Frozen Heart Curse (Part Five)

Frozen heart curse

Helena/

We race across the plains heading for the Savage divide a place cut off from the world. It's not a safe place but neither side would dare send forces here recklessly, Aila is struggling still but she musters all her strength to carry us further. Rose was able to seal the wound thankfully but she must be exhausted beyond belief. All of us are exhausted and neither of us has a place to call home anymore. Aila finally slows down to a near halt from exhaustion so I pull her to a stop. The night sky is bright but we can manage on foot from here using the skyline as a guide. After Demounting I pull Rose off gently till she's situated on my back.

Helena; " Rest well then head to the place you were raised, Aila."

She nudged me tiredly but I know she understood what I was asking. Tracking up through a mountain tree line we had nearly reached the savage divides border. The Queen tried subjugating them but her forces were routed because of the terrain and climate. They are not particularly hostile but do not appreciate outsiders in their lands either. We don't have many options for refuge but for now, this is the safest course.

After walking for what seemed like hours I discovered a cave for shelter. The cold had to be affecting Rose and I needed rest, so I set up camp. After layering her down gently I gathered what I could for a fire, exhaustion threatens to claim me. However, I make sure we are secured before resting myself, I'm still worried about Rose. At some point, I must have dozed off but when I awoke I found Rose nestled against me asleep once more. Figuring it's safe enough I allow myself to rest once more, hoping for daybreak to come.

Rose; " Helena wake up, someones outside"

I covered our tracks and hid the entrance well enough but they still found us. I drew my blade as I waited for them to enter but when they did it was peaceful. They had no intentions to fight it seems.

Helena; " Who are you.?"

Mahsu; " I am the one who has been awaiting your arrival, dear Helena."

She removed her mask revealing an elderly woman who seemed to have no sight. I was stuck in awe.

Mahsu; " My people have been waiting for a long time for this moment. Your heart has been freed from its shackles if it wasn't for them you would have found us sooner."

Helena; " I don't understand why would you be waiting for me. I am a nobody general that served a Queen who wanted the world."

Mahsu; " Come with me child and I will show you."

I was hesitant but Rose encouraged me onwards to follow. I couldn't understand why anyone would wait on me and this prophecy talk sounds even stranger but we followed the elderly woman all the same. She guided us even through the mountain paths and snow even though her eyes were so pale. She must know these paths so well to walk so confidently without pause.

Eventually, we arrived at a village full of huts and cottages covered with snow. The cold air here was heavy but it wasn't as frigid feeling while ascending to this point. I felt like something was protecting this place like a spirit was guarding and watching over them. That's when I noticed the eyes on us and the hostility in the men's faces as they watched us move through their village. We didn't belong here but Rose was eager to learn more from this woman who guided us here.

When we entered the tent she brought us to others like her who were gathered around the fire pit at the center. The shaman was the common name for them but not much was ever known about them. I was skeptical about this but when I sat down a smaller and much younger woman emerged from the darkness in the back. I remember the headdress from my first expedition to claim these lands from them, that's the chief's symbol. I instinctively lowered my head as I heard her speak.

Laiwei; " Helena my father once commended you as a warrior among our gods, he said you were fiercer than any beast or man. He commended your leadership in unfamiliar lands you impressed him far better than any of our people could. He was a great man full of pride I have to obey the guidance of our Shaman but know that I still pray for those we lost that day needlessly, and I hold you accountable."

Helena; " I have no defense, nor words to say, I am a soldier that is my core."

Mahsu; " Come I told you I would show you why we have been waiting, sit and let your heart reach the spirits that guide our world."

We all sat around the fire as the Shaman did their rituals and prayers. I felt uncomfortable being here but I could feel something lurking beyond my vision all around us I just couldn't see what it was. The sounds started to distort all around me and soon I could no longer hear what was being said. That's when I saw a creature it had an ever-changing face and I could no longer move my body freely. It whispered to me and called my name I had a connection to this spirit but I didn't know-how.

"At ease, I have been with you for a long time now but you never heard my voice. And when you surrender to the darkness I was locked away. Your parents were visitors of this village once upon a time. They came here for the blessings of the spirits and that's when I connected myself to you. Remember, I will always be here if you call for me"

I heard voices flooding specifically Roses she was calling my name and I realized I was back. I couldn't understand what happened but my body was exhausted and my limbs were heavy, Rose guided me to a bed for rest. Those words linger at the fringes of my mind I feel like that being was trying to tell me something more, perhaps I'll know after I rest.